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Filed April 29, 1 957 v IIIIH,

Rudolph R. DeRouen ATTORNEY United States Patent LINESMANS MARKER POLERudolph Roy De Rouen, Trinidad, Colo.

Application April 29, 1957, Serial No. 655,849

2 Claims. -(Cl. 40-125) and improved linesmans marker pole adapted toprovide visual indication of the direction of play subject checkthereby.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedlinemans marker pole adjustably indicative of the direction of ball playin a manner adapting the same for use at either or both ends of astandard measure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedlinesmans marker pole indicative of the direction of ball play in avariety of particular constructions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedconstruction and organization of elements constituting a linemans markerpole of high practicality and enhanced advantage.

A further object of the invention is to provide a linesmans marker polecharacterized by a novel and improved arrangement for connecting thesame with the end of a chain length conventionally utilized as astandard measure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedlinesmans marker pole that'is simple and inexpensive of production fromknown and available materials, that is susceptible of production in avariety of specific and interchangeable embodiments indicative of thedirection of ball play, that is practical andconvenient of use, and thatfunctions to promote understanding of the play to which it is applied byspectators and 0thcials.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists inthe construction, arrangement, and operative combination of elements ashereinafter set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated by theaccompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of a typicalembodiment of the invention as associated in duplicate with and to comFigure 5 is an elevation of one face of a hinged panel unit employableas a direction indicator in substitution for the analogous element ofthe preceding views. Figure 6 is an elevation of the opposite face ofthe hinged panel arrangement according to Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an isometric view of the hinged panel ar rangementrepresented by Figures 5 and 6 as adjusted in one condition of practicaluse.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 showing the hinged panelarrangement as alternatively conditioned for practical use.

Figure 9 is an elevation showing one face of a single panel employablein substitution for the direction indicators of the preceding views.

Figure 10 is an elevation of the opposite face of the single panelrepresented by Figure 9. Figure 11 is an elevation of an alternativemounting applicable to adjustably and detachably associate the hingedpanel arrangement according to Figures 5-8, inclusive, with a markerpole.

As is well understood, an essential adjunct to regulation of play in thegame of football is a standard measure engaged between terminal poleswhich is shifted under the direction of an oflicial along a sideline ofthe field of play to establish and check certain criteria pertinent toadvance of the ball. The standard measure is customarily a ten yardlength of chain, or equivalent non-extensible flexible material,connecting between terminal poles having sharpened portions projectingbelow the chain for ground penetration, and the resulting unit isextended in the direction of play from registration of its trailing endwith a ball position laterally of the field to establish the gainrequired to be made by those advancing the ball in accordance with therules of play. The frequent shifts of the linesmans marker unit incidentto the progress of play and the frequent reversals of the direction ofplay as possession of the ball is exchanged between opposing teamsconduce to confusion as to the direction of ball play obtaining at anyand every moment, Which confusion has been known to afflict officials aswell as spectators, hence an indication of the direction of playassociated with the poles of the marker unit in a manner to accuratelyrepresent the direction of ball advance at all times is of noteworthyadvantage, and it is to the provision of such an indicator that theinstant invention is directed.

In the construction and organization of the improvement according toFigures l-4, inclusive, the numeral 15 designates a flexible chainlength engaged at its ends with and spanning between marker poles 16 tocomplete a linesmans marker unit of generally conventional type. Thechain length 15 may be of any appropriate material and particularconstruction and of a length suited to its purpose as a standardmeasure; such length customarily being exactly ten yards when the unitis to be applied to use in connection With football games. The poles 16are straight, rigid members of convenient length either solid or tubularin form and of any material expediently adaptable to the purpose, itbeing entirely feasible and practical to constitute the poles 16 fromsections of standard pipe or tubing of light weight. Giving effect tocertain principles of the invention, ends of the chain length 15preferably engage with links 17 swivelled on and adjacent the lower endsof the poles 16 between spacedlyparallel, annular flanges 18 extendingradially and outwardly from each of the poles 16, whereby to rotatablyassociate each of the poles with an end of a chain length 15 in a mannerobviating kinking or tangling of the chain length as a result of polemanipulation. The lower ends of the poles 16 are appropriately tapered,as at 19, to provide points for ground penetration immediatelysubjacentthe flanges 18 in a disposition appropriate to stretch the chain length15 along a ground surface wherein the points 19 are seated. Facilitatinguse of the unit assembly and secure engagement of the points 19 withinthe ground, step blocks 20 are provided on and in fixed relation withthe poles 16 immediately above the flanges 18, which blocks may beutilized by a manipulator of the pole in an obvious -manner to seat thepoint 19 thereof in the ground with precision, security, andconvenience. In connection withthe use of the marker unit assembly, itis expedient to employ on certain occasions a flag or spot indicator 21as a guide in returning the'marker unit to a position from which it hasbeen displaced, and hence the instant improvement includes an eye 22fixed to and at some convenient point along each pole 16 for thedetachable support of such flag 21; a snap clip or equivalent connectorbeing provided to facilitate detachable association of the flag with oneor the other of the eyes 22 included in the marker unit. As an aid tomanipulation and correct orientation of the poles 16, a straight, rigidrod 23 is ,fixedto and in perpendicular relation with each of the poles16 to extend at each end radially of the associated pole as a hand gripin appropriate elevation above the flanges 18.

As ,a significant feature of the invention, each of the poles 16 isfurnished with a direction indicator adjustably associated with andsupported by the upper end of the pole, and in the organizationaccording to Figures 1-4, inclusive, said indicator is represented as anarrow, or pointer, 24 pivotally related with the upper end of theassociated pole for adjustment through a vertical are about an axisperpendicular to that of the pole and expediently perpendicular to thedisposition of the rod 23. Manifestly, the pointer 24 may be operativelyassociated with its pole 16 in various ways effective to realize thepurposes of the invention, a practical and preferred mount for saidpointer being represented as including a generallyacircular fitting 25formed with a radial, internallythreaded socket for removable andreplaceable coaction with the upper end of a pole 16 and with an axial,interiorly-threaded bore coactable with a bolt 26 engaged through a holecentrally of the pointer 24 to loosely clamp the pointer against oneface of the fitting 25 and for rotation about the bolt 26 at one side ofand in a plane-parallel to the axis of the associated pole 16. Inapplying the pointer 24 to its intended use as an indicator of thedirection of play obtaining at any given time, it is requisite thatmeans he provided for latching said pointer in operative and inoperativeindicating positions, for which purpose a-spring-biased detent 27 isoperatively housed-in the fitting 25 for engagement with the face of-thepointer 24 closing against said fitting and holes or sockets 28 areformed in the pointer for separate coaction with said detent and in anexpedient arrangement such as to yieldably retain the pointer in itsvarious positions of operative adjustment, which include dispositionsperpendicular to the associated pole 16 and hence parallel to the rod 23'with the pointer directed in either of the two opposite directions, anda disposition of the pointer parallelto the axis of the pole 16, as atthe right in Figure 1, wherein it provides no indication ofthe directionof play.

Constructed" and organized substantially as shown and described, themarker unit assembly typified by Figures l-4, inclusive, is utilizedwith an attendant at each pole 16 under the direction of an official toregulate and determine football play in a customary manner.Supplementing the usual functions of the unit assembly as facilitatedand enhanced by the swivelled connection of the chain length ends to thepoles, the steps 20, eyes 22, and rods 23, the pointers 24 as adjustedby the attendants visually evidence the direction of ball play at alltimes to spectators, officials, and players. Given an establisheddirection of ball play, the pointer 24 at the pole 16 leading in suchdirection is swung on its pivot to manifest the-projected course of theplay, as at the left in Figure 1, andis automatically yieldably latchedin such adjustment by engagement of the detent 27 in an appropriate oneof the holes or sockets 28, and the pole is rotated, if necessary toalign the rod 23 parallel to such direction with consequent properorientation of the pointer. The pointer 24 on the pole 16 at the end ofthe marker unit assembly trailing the direction of play may be adjustedto simulate and to parallel the disposition of the pointer on thecomplementary pole, or the pointer on the pole trailing the direction ofplay may be adjusted to parallel the axis of the associated pole, as atthe right in Figure l, and hence to a position of null directionindication so far as the play is concerned. Manifestly, any reversal ofor change in the direction of play requires but a simple andcorresponding adjustment of the pointers 24 about their pivotal mountingaxes to establish a correct and continuing visual indication of thedirection of play then obtaining.

Alternative to the pointer 24 and associated mounting just described,the arrangements according to Figures 5-11, inclusive, function fordisplay of distinctive insignia as well as for indication of thedirection of play in operative association-With'the poles 16 of themarker unit assembly constituted as above set forth. In competitivefootball play, the opposing teams frequently are identified bysignificant colors and insignia, either or both, rivalry is intense, anddesignation of the direction of play in terms of the indicia peculiar tothe team in possession of the ball is opportune and desirable, and theconstructions hereinafterdescribed facilitate such partisan display as"an incident of play direction indication.

Figures 5-8, inclusive, represent a typical hinged panel arrangementemployable in attachment to upper ends of theypoles 16 as a directionindicator in substitution for the' fitting"25 and associated pointer 24of the arrangement first described. The hinged panel arrangement isdeveloped a as pair of like, complementary panels 28 and 28', of anyappropriate thin, stiff, and substantially rigidmaterial, hingedlyconjoined along corresponding long margins, as at 29, to ,fold togetherin either direction of their relative articulation. Coplanar faces ofthe panels 28 and 28' on one side of the hinged assembly similarlydisplay a direction indicator, illustrated as a pointer 30, which may bea representation of the colors or insigne of a football team, school, orthe like, arranged for identical disposition on the opposite sides ofthe panel assembly when the latter is folded to expose such faces, as inFigure 7, and the coplanar faces of the said panels on the other side ofthe hinged assembly may be blank or may depict a contrasting sign orsymbol, such as'the annulus 31, indicative of the end of the marker unitassembly trailing in the direction of ball play, for exposure on bothfaces of the panel assembly when the latter is folded together, as inFigure 8, to conceal the faces bearing the representation typified bythe pointer 30. The hinged panel assembly shown and described isconditioned for selective mounting on the poles 16 of a marker unitassembly through the provision of an internally-threaded socket 32 fixedcentrally to and projecting laterally from a free long side of one ofthe constituent panels, such as the panel 28 of the illustratedembodiment, for coaction with the threaded upper end of each pole 16,whereby to secure the panel assembly to the pole with the hinge axis 29perpendicular thereto and desirably coplanar with the rod 23 of theassociated pole. As so constructed and arranged, the hinged panelorganization is available through simple manipulation of the free panelelement about the hinge axis to condition either unit as that leading inthe direction of ball play when the pointer, colors, or insigne facesthereof are exposed and to correspondingly condition the other of thesaid organizations comprised in a marker unit assembly asthat trailingin the direction of ball play when the pointer, colors, or insigne facesthereof are concealed.

The alternative direction indicator arrangement according to'Figure 11utilizes the hinged panel unit last above described, less the socket 32,and distinguishes only in the provision of a convenient mountingattachment adapting the associated pole 16 for convenient use withdiverse such units. As shown in Figure 11, a rectangular yoke frame 33fixed in any expedient manner to the upper end of a pole 16 includesupwardly-directed arms 33 spaced apart to receive the hinged panel unittherebetween, and eyes formed in the free terminals of said arms areadapted to receive the projecting ends of a pintle 29 characterizing thehinge 29 and thereby mount the panel unit with its hinge axisperpendicular to the associated pole for alternative display of thepanel unit faces as above set forth.

In a simplified embodiment, the direction indicator according to Figures9 and 10 is appropriate to display the play direction indicationcorrectly to view on but one side of the marker unit assembly wherewithit is utilized. As shown, a single panel 34, identical with or analogousto the panel 28 previously described, is provided with the pointer 30,or corresponding leading indication, on one face and with the annulus31, or corresponding trailing indication, on its other face, and isarranged for attachment to a pole 16 by means of the socket 32projecting centrally and laterally from one long margin thereof. With asingle panel 34 mounted on each of the poles 16 of the marker unitassembly in coplanar relation with the rod 23 of the associated pole, ahalf-turn rotation of the poles in their respective links 17 suflices toreverse the indications of the panels 34 and may be availed of toestablish such correlation of the panel indications as correctlyreflects the direction of play to viewers at but one side of the markerunit assembly.

Since changes, variations, nad modifications in the form, construction,and arrangement of the elements shown and described may be had withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention, I wish to be understood asbeing limited solely by the scope of the appended claims, rather than byany details of the illustrative showing and foregoing description.

I claim as my invention:

1. A marker pole employa'ble in duplicate as the manipulable terminalsof a linesmans chain, comprising a straight, rigid pole member pointedfor ground penetration at one end and formed with a cylindrical portionat the inward end of such point, complementary, circular flanges fixedlyoutstanding in spaced, parallel relation radially from said circularportion to dispose the outermost thereof for limitation of groundpenetration by the adjacent point, a chain connector link embracinglyswivelled to said cylindrical portion between said flanges and extendingradially and outwardly therebeyond, a head attached to the unpointed endof said pole member, a bore centrally of said head perpendicularlyintersecting the projected axis of the associated pole member, a headedpin secured in said bore to project at one end beyond said head, apointer revolubly balanced on the projecting end of said pin betweensaid head and the headed end of the pin, a central web on said pointeroverlying said head, angularly-spaced holes marginally of said webopening to the adjacent face of said head, a socket in said headspacedly paralleling said bore disposed for registration at its open endwith any selected one of the holes in said web, and a spring-biaseddetent in said socket resiliently coactable with the holes of said webto yieldably retain the pointer in any position of adjustment about itsmounting pin corresponding with the arrangement of the web holes.

2. A marker pole employable in duplicate as the manipulable terminals ofa linesmans chain, comprising a straight, rigid pole member pointed forground penetration at one end and formed with a cylindrical portion atthe inward end of such point, complementary, circular flanges fixedlyoutstanding in spaced, parallel relation radially from said circularportion to dispose the outermost thereof for limitation of groundpenetration by the adjacent point, a chain connector link embracinglyswivelled to said cylindrical portion between said flanges and extendingradially and outwardly therebeyond, a head attached to the unpointed endof said pole member, a bore centrally of said head perpendicularlyintersecting the projected axis of the associated pole member, a headedpin secured in said bore to project at one end beyond said head, apointer revolubly balanced on the projecting end of said pin betweensaid head and the headed end of the pin, a central web on said pointeroverlying said head, angularly-spaced holes marginally of said webopening to the adjacent face of said head, a socket in said headspacedly paralleling said bore disposed for registration at its open endwith any selected one of the holes in said web, a spring-biased detentin said socket resiliently coactable with the holes of said web toyieldably retain the pointer in any position of adjustment about itsmounting pin corresponding with the arrangement of the web holes, and arigid rod fixed diametrically of said pole member parallel to the planeof pointer revolution and projecting at each end beyond said member as ameans for and determinant of pole member revolution about its axis.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,410,414 Sheets Mar. 21, 1922 1,497,958 Swinford June 17, 19242,022,160 Sorensen et a1 Nov. 26, 1935 2,060,165 Borleske Nov. 10, 19362,064,745 Harrie Dec. 15, 1936 2,479,157 Fritts Aug. 16, 1949 FOREIGNPATENTS 365,436 France June 27, 1906 363,887 Great Britain Dec. 31, 1931

